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LET'S TALK 'BOUT
ME!'
Isn??™t It Time For You?
By Jennifer Ottolino
Does it seem like there is never
enough time in the day? Why is there plenty of time for everyone
and everything but ourselves? The fact is that you only get one
shot at this life so it is important to spend it doing something
you love. The good news is that you have a choice, you can
continue to go on being overwhelmed letting time and life slip
away, or you can make the time and start living the life you
really want. Yes, this is easier said than done, so here are ten
strategies, some old and some new, to help you gain control over
your time.
1. Become a problem free zone. Yes,
problems happen in life, and there are ways to proactively limit
your exposure to those problems. You can limit your exposure by
creating strong boundaries, developing reserves, and creating
systems that will prevent future problems. What are some systems
that you can develop right now that will prevent you from having
problems in the future?
2. Create enriching free time. So
often when we do have free time we spend it on some mind numbing
activity such as TV. Devote some of your free time each week doing
something that really enriches your life. Do something that makes
you feel fantastic and blissed out. The rest of your week will get
a big boost and you will find that you are effortlessly getting
things accomplished.
3. Be present. When you have
committed to spend the time, are you present? Or are you thinking
about the other things that you have to do? Often when we are at
work we are thinking about the things we have to do at home and
when we are home we are thinking about the things we have to do at
work. As a result, we never focus on what we are currently doing.
This drains your energy because when you are focused on feeling
guilty you don't produce the results you really want which leads
to problems. Focus on what you are currently doing and concentrate
on putting in a 100% effort and you will see strong results with
fewer mistakes.
4. Set intentions for the day.
Setting intentions for the day is much different than having a to
do list. Setting intentions for the day involves clearly
articulating what you want from that day. Your intentions for the
day could be anywhere from cleaning out your desk to looking for
and seeking out abundance from the day. The key is focus, so do
not set more than three intentions for the day and center your
activities around those intentions. This is much lighter than a
to-do list, which tends to drain your energy and can keep you from
feeling accomplished.
5. Develop healthy energy sources.
Your body gets energy from any source it can find regardless if it
is negative or positive energy. The difference is that negative
energy sources leave you feeling drained, discontented, and
restless while positive energy sources leave you feeling happy,
peaceful, and energized. Which one sounds better to you? Develop
healthy energy sources by creating reserves of time and money, by
eating right and exercising, and doing what makes you happy. Your
day and your mood will feel much different and you will go to bed
with a feeling of peaceful satisfaction.
6. Say ???no???. We often cause our own
time problems because we cannot say no to requests. It is
understandable that you want to help people but why are you
willing to sacrifice your own well being by being over committed?
If a request is going to leave you feeling resentful, angry, or
taken advantage of, definitely say ???no???. You will feel a huge
sense of relief.
7. Get rid of commitments. We often
make commitments that don't really add value to our goals, our
vision, or our lives. If you want to create more time in your life
you have to start being very selective about the activities in
which you participate. Really look at your current commitments and
ask yourself, ???Is this how I want to spend my time? Does it make
me feel good? Does it help me move closer to my goals????
8. Slow down. Rushing has become a
way of life for most of us. Even when we don??™t have to rush we
still do. Have you ever asked yourself, why am I rushing? Only to
discover that there was no reason at all. When you rush around you
are not present in your surroundings, you are often distracted and
frazzled, which will cause you to make mistakes and take up even
more of your time. Become aware of this adrenaline rushed feeling
and make a conscious decision to slow down. Slow your walk, slow
down your speech, take a deep breath, and do what it takes to
mentally and physically slow down.
9. Under promise and over deliver.
We have all heard this phrase but do we actually do it? Part of
our time pressure is caused by over promising when we don't have
to. Give yourself more time to complete a project then you think
you will need and deliver it early. Your days will not feel as
frantic, you will be getting your energy from positive sources,
you will do a better job, which helps create your problem free
zone, and you will feel good about your accomplishments. This is a
win/ win for everyone.
10. Really understand that you
control your time, not the other way around. Most of us feel like
we are victims to time when in reality you control your time and
how you utilize it. Start utilizing it to your advantage by having
it work for you.
Hopefully this has provided you
with some ideas on creating more time and using time to create a
more fulfilling and enriched life. Remember that you control your
time, your space, your life, and that it is your responsibility to
create it on your own terms.
About the Author:
Jen Ottolino is a Personal Coach
who works with individuals to eliminate blocks to success. She
partners with people to actively attract the life they know they
deserve, but haven??™t quite managed to achieve. You can visit her
website at http://coachjen.com and discover articles, tips, and
strategies designed to enhance your life purpose. She also
publishes the bite sized weekly newsletter Little gems to
subscribe send an email to
littlegems@coachjen.com?subject=subscribe
HOME
Air Freshening Aromas
Well-Being: A blend of Orange,
Lavender and Geranium creates a sense of well-being by lifting
melancholy, relieving anxiety and stress, and balancing emotional
extremes. (Mix this blend with water in a spray bottle and use to
freshen your house or car.) People will notice its floral
fragrance.
Disinfect Air: Bergamot, Clary
Sage, Geranium, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram,
Peppermint, Rosemary
Natural: Create a natural air
freshener to enhance moods or freshen the air at home, work or in
the car. Add 150 drops of a blend to 2 ounces of pure water in a
mist spray bottle. Shake well before spraying into the air. Or,
add 50 drops of a blend to a potpourri that has lost its scent. Or
create your own potpourri by adding drops of a blend to dried
leaves, flowers, etc. Mix together in a container, cover tightly
and store for several days to allow the potpourri material to
absorb the essential oils.
Cinnamon is used as a comforting
oil during the cold season, A lovely room fragrance, especially
during C'mas.
Fir Needle has a fresh spicy scent.
A few drops will remind you of the fir forests. A festive aroma
for a freshly cut Christmas tree.
Geranium mixed with Lavender and
Bergamot produces a delightful room freshener.
Lemongrass has a sweet powerful
'lemony' aroma which makes a good refreshing, deodorizing room
fragrance.
COOKING TIPS
1. Do not use extra-virgin or
virgin olive oil for frying, as the oil will burn. "Extra-light"
olive is preferable.
2. To make perfect hard-boiled
eggs, place 9 eggs in a large saucepan and cover with about an
inch of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then turn
down to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. When the eggs are cooked,
immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. (For a
better shape, pierce the larger end of the egg with a thumbtack
before boiling.)
3. By adding the salt and pepper to
a salad before the oil and vinegar, you ensure a better seasoning.
When you add the oil and vinegar, mix the salad well, with your
hands rather than tools; you'll be surprised at how much better
you can mix it. Regulate the oil and vinegar to your own taste.
4. To shave Parmesan, you need a
solid piece of cheese and an ordinary swivel potato peeler. Scrape
the peeler against the cheese as if you were peeling potatoes. You
will obtain Parmesan shavings, a fun alternative to grated cheese.
5. To prepare fresh fennel: Rinse
thoroughly, and trim stalks to within 1/2 inch of the bulb. Peel
away the tough outer stalks, and cut the tender interior of the
bulb in half lengthwise, then slice crosswise.
BEAUTY RECIPES
Hair Conditioners
Egg Conditioner
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup lukewarm water
Beat egg yolk until it is thick and
light colored. Slowly drizzle drops of oil into egg, beating well.
Slowly add and beat the water into the egg mixture. Transfer
mixture to a container. After shampooing, massage all conditioner
into hair and leave on for a few minutes before thoroughly
rinsing.
Protein Conditioner
Beat 1 egg white until foamy. Add
to 5 Tbsps plain natural yogurt. Apply to hair in small sections
at a time. Leave in for 15 minutes. Rinse.
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